5.9L Magnum questions

408 swinger said
With all the talk of whether or not to inspect/re-ring bottom end, I'm surprised no one has stated the fact/obvious. Any Magnum engine with over a hundred thou on the clock needs the rid shells checked. Plenum gasket is most likely out and it has been sucking oil. Thus, detonation. The upper shells are almost always wore. Only way to know is to look. No piston/rod removal necessary. It's been 50/50 for me on the cam bearings. Mains are usually perfect.

Yes, 100% the OP should check the rod bearings. I was lucky in that mine looked fine.

My cam bearings, maybe not so much. Actually they all looked great except for one. Check this out:

At first I thought I did that when pulling out the cam, but the cam had a shadow on that journal right where it was riding on the gouge, so I figure that bearing was damaged when the engine was initially assembled in the Chrysler factory. I couldn't feel any imperfections at all on the journal, so I guess they wore in together. I talked to a few experienced guys and they all said I should change the bearings, but if I didn't it would probably be fine. So I did the right thing and did not change the bearings. So far it's been about 10,000 miles it seems to be fine. To be clear, I don't recommend to the OP that he do this! Do what I say, not what I do :D